PCG, the voice of freelancing hosts: Making use of online networking and social media, Bristol September 20, 2010

Making use of online networking and social media, Bristol

Monday, 20 September 2010

Don't know your LinkedIn from your LinkedOut? Confused by Twitter? Think Ning is a character from Flash Gordon?

This event will provide an introduction to how social networking can help a freelance business grow. Our expert speakers will focus on emerging trends in social media, how to use the web effectively for the word-of-mouth effect, how you can support and target growth in your contact network, how to ensure that you make a positive impression and how to effectively manage your online presence.

If you're bamboozled by the rapidly developing phenomenon that is social networking, come along, find out more and indulge in some good old fashioned physical networking too.

Each panel member will give a short presentation and plenty of time will be available for the inevitable lively group discussion. Our panel of experts will include:

Colette Mason, Inspired Interactions Ltd - Since 2004, Colette has been helping companies and individuals create successful user-friendly products for a wide range of projects - from small sites for friends and colleagues to a £300 million project for Fujitsu and Royal Mail Group. Colette will touch on the practicalities and importance of managing your personal brand online and how she has used social media tools such as YouTube, SlideShare (2000 views in 10 days...), LinkedIn, Twitter (including one £12,000 order from monitoring keywords Facebook) to grow her business.

Gordon Bunker, TDG Network Ltd - Gordon has been working with the internet since the early days – building his first website in 1995 and in those days what happened in the outside world in a year was taking place in a month on the internet, it was a frenetic and exciting time! What seems like the norm today with podcasts, video, flash and graphics was beyond most people’s wildest imaginations then – however what most people don’t realise is that often those technologies actually get in the way of the sale!

Dan Sheerman, Storm Consultancy - Dan is a Web Developer and self confessed nerd of all things Digital; 'one of those pesky kids' who grew up around glossy-buttoned buzzwords like Web 2.0. Dan will be exploring what's happened, is happening, and might happen in social media, along with why what he learned from growing up with it all is pretty much useless when it comes to real-world marketing, but with tips on how you can use it to get known in your community - both when you consist only of pixels and otherwise.

Colin Butcher, XDelta Limited - Colin is a longstanding PCG member and has for the past 12 months been leading local events in the Bristol area on behalf of PCG. Colin is a consulting engineer specialising in mission-critical and disaster-tolerant systems. He has a strong interest in teaching and in helping others to develop their skills and experience.

Iain McIlwee, PCG – Iain manages communications for the PCG and will provide comment based on insight drawn from his own experience and work with the PCG membership.

Timings:

* Welcome and light refreshments: 18:00 - 18:45

* Presentations start: 18:45
* Q&A Discussion: 19:45
* Networking drinks in bar: 20:00 onwards

THIS IS A FREE EVENT, BUT PRE-REGISTRATION IS ESSENTIAL

Official Website: http://www.pcg.org.uk/cms/index.php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat.detail&evid=226&Itemid=1270&year=2010&month=09&day=20&uid=c23b08db39c3d2c1fb2c6905f9b16366